MARSHALL, Texas — Hitting three home runs, including a grand slam, combined with a five-run seventh inning, No. 14 East Texas Baptist University secured a spot in the Regional Championship game with an 11-6 victory over Rhodes College in the NCAA Division III Marshall, Texas Regional Tournament. ETBU moves to 35-10 and will play the winner of the Rhodes College/Concordia Texas game.
Justin Flannery led the team with eight RBIs hitting two home runs with one being a grand slam.
Carson Livesay had one home run and recorded two runs.
Connor Massimini added a double and collected two hits.
Carter Nannini added two hits and one RBI.
Cody Myers pitched seven innings, striking out three, and allowed just five hits and four earned runs for his fourth win of the year.
Conner Smeltzer worked the final two innings with one strikeout and two earned runs on two hits.
In the second inning,
Joaquin Costa drew a walk and advanced on
Jobee Boone's single.
Brody Tewers followed with a bunt single, loading the bases. Flannery delivered a two-RBI single to center, scoring Costa and Boone to take the 2-1 lead.
In the fourth, Rhodes recorded a solo home run, but ETBU responded. Tewers walked, and Flannery hit a two-run homer, extending the lead to 4-2 as he posted four RBI in four innings.
The Tigers added another run in the fifth when Livesay walked, stole second, and advanced to third on an error. Massimini's sacrifice fly brought Livesay home, making it 5-2.
The seventh inning was pivotal as Rhodes scored two runs, to cut the lead to one, 5-4, but ETBU answered back with a powerful inning. Livesay hit a solo home run to start the inning against a new Rhodes pitcher. After singles by Massimini and Nannini, and a walk to Boone, Flannery hit his second home run of the game, a grand slam, pushing the lead to 10-4.
In the eighth,
Juan Ortigoza advanced to third on an error after being hit by a pitch. Massimini doubled, and Nannini's single drove Ortigoza in, increasing the lead to 11-4.
ETBU's defense turned a double play in the eighth inning to end a threat but the Lynx managed two runs in the ninth with a two-run homer. Smeltzer struck out the next batter and diving catch in left field ended the game as ETBU won, 11-6.
Tiger Top Performers
Carson Livesay
- 2 runs
- 1 home run
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
Justin Flannery
- 2 home runs
- 3 hits
- 8 RBIs
- 2 runs
Cody Myers
- 7 innings pitched
- 3 strikeouts
- 4 walks
